Take-Along a Swatch Sheet

In case you’re someone who likes to take a guide along while shopping, here’s a downloadable Swatch Sheet that you can take with your to the fabric store. Note: Colors may not exactly match to Pantone or between your computer screen and the print out, due differences in color calibration of your computer and/or printer.

It’s Fashion Week in New York and to kick it off Pantone has revealed the color palette for Spring 2012.Pantone invites us to Dance Into Spring with the Spring 2012 Fashion Color Forecast.

Pantone’s Spring 2012 Fashion Color Forecast reminds us that spring is a time of renewed energy, optimism and a promise of a brighter day. And color can help alter or sway a mood. This coming spring is a colorful palette of vivid brights, soft muted tones and fun-loving pastels.

Pantone Spring 2012 Color Palette for Women

Pantone usually leads with the color palette for women. For a larger view of the palette, just click on the graphic.

Provocative Tangerine Tango, an enticing juicy orange, is a vivacious and appealing refresher to enliven anyone’s outlook this spring. Providing a jolt of energy, Solar Power radiates warmth and cheer.

Fanciful Bellflower, a distinct ornamental purple, exudes uniqueness and creativity. Scintillating and sexy, Cabaret is a sensual and intense rosy-red — an excellent choice for summer clothing and cosmetics.

Sodalite Blue, a classic maritime hue, brings order and calmness to mind. Like an anchor to a ship, this dependable shade works with every color in the palette. Cockatoo, a tactile blue-green, is sure to make your spirits soar. This unusual hue adds a whimsical touch to the palette and will surely make a statement this spring.

Margarita, a piquant yellow-green, lifts spirits with its refreshing and stimulating glow. Reminiscent of a blossoming garden on an early spring morning, fragrant Sweet Lilac evokes the fresh scents of summer. This delicate pinkish lilac adds a touch of romance to any wardrobe.

Natural versatile neutrals add practicality to this season’s brights. Driftwood, an adaptable blend of beige and gray with a slightly weathered feel, and Starfish, a perfect warm summer neutral, complement all colors featured in this season’s top 10.

For an ultra-bold vibrant look this spring, try mixing Bellflower with Tangerine Tango and Cabaret. Combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac andCockatoo for a subtle alternative, or combine Margarita with Sweet Lilac and Driftwood for a more practical variation. Solar Power is best juxtaposed with Sodalite Blue. For a safer bet, add a natural neutral like Starfish to the mix.

— Pantone Spring 2012 Color Palette Press Release

Pantone Men’s Spring 2012 Color Palette

Pantone’s Men’s Spring 2012 Color Palette is similar to the Women’s Color Palette, but a bit more “braver” and “bolder.”

Vintage Khaki, a timeless yet quintessential classic, is best paired with Granita, a full-bodied and robust deep red.

Breezy Tradewinds creates the perfect combination for spring with Dazzling Blue and Grass Green. This sporty yet classic golf green is sure to be a hit in active sportswear.”

Re-do It Design includes some interested interpretations to the color palettes when thinking in a color story. They look at it from a home decor view, but still very much applicable whether your considering your Spring 2012 wardrobe or making over your home.

Spring 2012 Fashion Color Palette Report

Download Pantone’s Color Report in .PDF with the designers’ influences and inspirations. The Pantone Color Report is filled with designer “must-have’s” and inspirational drawings. This year, Pantone also asked the designers what colorful item defined their style as a child. Fun and interesting to read what fashion design icons such as Betsey Johnson, Tommy Hilfiger, Caren Marc Valvo, Tracy Reese and others said.

Here’s a re-cap of the Spring 2012 Women’s and Men’s colors. What colors will you be using?

The American Sewing Guild (ASG) held its 2011 annual conference in Los Angeles, CA, from Aug. 18-22. Among the several hundred attendees were a group from the ASG Chicago Chapter. We send a big thanks to National and the L.A. chapter for making this a fantastic conference.

For anyone who has never attended conference, imagine a few hundred ASG members in one location with classrooms, an exhibit/vendor hall, and access to fabric shopping. It’s wonderful! Even if you attended alone, there are no strangers at conference because we all have a common interest: sewing. Mary Ann R., one of the Chicago members, explained, “The conference is a way of bonding with your peers and this happened to me the moment I entered the shuttle at the airport with other ASG members. Everywhere you went, there was another ASG member with a big smile and ‘Hi!'” This statement is so true. In fact, I had a mini-reunion with some of the ASG members I meet on the April 2010 Sew Many Options tour to New York with Marsha McClintock and Marla Kazell

Conference mostly focuses on workshops and classes and this year there was a wide variety from which to choose and those were primarily offered in two- to three-hour slots. “The classes brought out your creativity and made you think outside the box. With each one, you walked away having learned something new,” said Mary Ann R.

Here are some highlights from some of the Chicago members who attended.

My Purses by Design handbag. Love it!

Purse Basics with Pamela L. Day and Roseanne Lauters of Purses by Design held a special half-day class on Aug. 18 that I attended and walked out with a fantastic handbag. Pamela and Roseanne prepped the class by having all the fabric pre-cut and interfaced. All we had to do was insert the magnetic snap and sew. It was a blast. They use a special interfacing for the lining that helps keep the bag stable but flexible. This was one of four classes the PbyD ladies offered.

On the Edge with Marie Yolande taught ASG members Wendy G. and Elizabeth H. the beauty of edge finishes and how they can “separate the amateurs from the professionals.” Marie, who has an extensive background in french needlework, showed the class how to use custom piping, shirred and ruched trims, and many other edge techniques. Wendy G. said it was just like being in an couture atelier.

Liz H. showing off her sample of fringed wool in the the "On the Edge" class

Sharleen from ASG Chicago attended Vest-S-Cape with Marsha McClintock of Saf-T-Pockets and walked out with a finished cape/wrap. [We’re waiting for a stunning photo of Sharleen in her cape; check back later to see it!]

One last class I’d like to mention is Hand Smocking with Rami Kim. She had the class work on two samples and something that seemed so difficult actually was incredibly easy. North American Hand Smocking is a lot of connecting the dots to create the design of your choice. These puckers and pulls of fabric create stunning designs for blouses, jackets, purses, or any item. Rami taught a few other classes on fabric folding, or Chopkey, as she refers to it in her native Korean language. She also displayed a beautiful gold coat done in Cathedral Window pattern.

For English Smocking, visit Vaune, one of the vendors at the conference. She had a beautiful selection of fabric and sold pleaters.

A conference wouldn’t be complete without shopping and tours. The conference had a exhibit hall for shopping and we made that most of that! But the best is L.A.’s downtown fabric district. It’s maze that could take you weeks to go through. Thankfully a group of the ASG L.A. chapter members put together a handy guide to point out a few spots to visit if you were running short on time. It’s a crazy mix of elegant and inexpensive textiles and trims. From home dec to silk to basic cottons, there was no shortage. If you are visiting on your own, some places you might want to hit in that 8th and 9th street area are: L.A. Fred’s for home dec; Eco Fabric for home dec and Tex Carmel for silks and linens; Trim 2000 for (you guessed it) trims; Michael Levine and Michael Levine’s Annex from just about everything; and off the beaten path were B. Black and Sons for a “step back in time to what a fabric store would be like in the 1920s and 1930s.”

Connie (L) and Wendy (R) with Judy Fitzgerald of Sawyer Brook Fabrics at breakfast. Wendy was thrilled she meet the lady who cuts her fabric and processes her internet orders.

A few of us stayed through Monday to take advantage of some of the fabric shopping tours to Santa Barbara Lace and Textile and another to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) and more fabric shopping. The FIDM group was definitely the most packed with three busloads of ASG members. Sharleen and I made it to the bus that started the tour at Mood in L.A. And even thought I don’t have a photo of this to prove it, I do have witness . . . we meet Burt from Project Runway at Mood! He was so nice and posed for pictures with anyone who asked. You guessed it, I didn’t ask to have my photo taken, but I did wish him luck.

I could go on and on about the L.A. trip. It was a blast. The 2012 annual conference will be in Houston, TX from Aug. 16-20 and 2013 will be in Arlington, VA. Hope we see you at both!

I know, it barely feels like we’re getting out from cold weather and the Fall Trends are coming out. But, in case you’re a sewist who plans ahead, here’s one of the fashion trends that is being shown: Using quilting as texture.

Check out the quilting pattern on the boot — you don’t have to just use a single, straight stitch for quilting. Use quilting for texture and pattern. It doesn’t have to just be squares!

Quilting — that old hunting lodge requisite — is looking chicer than ever this fall as designers reimagine the classic sewing method, using it on everything from shirts and bags to even shoes and skinny jeans.

What do you think about when preparing to visit a new city? Many of us leave home with a list of fabric store addresses that we found on the web. On a trip to Montreal I visited Fabricville. Located downtown in the shopping area, I was pleasantly surprised to find a large, well-stocked, and very busy, store.

Graphic prints lined the shelves at Fabricville and ready-to-wear store windows were showing printed tops trimmed with lots gold or silver cords and braids. The European fashion influence was very apparent. Naturally there were lots of knitted woolen garments.

Can you guess what almost everyone wears? Boots. Everyone, young and old, wears boots to keep warm. I wore my boots everywhere.

Use the internet the next time you are planning a trip. And send us your shopping experiences.

Fashion Week is synonymous with fantasy designs; watching for up-and-coming designers; and identifying trends. Whether you follow the Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris or the next season’s trends in Milan, London or New York, one thing that is a common theme throughout is color. During New York’s Fashion Week, Pantone, Inc. always releases its color trend forecast.

Here in Chicago, we’re barely getting ourselves out of snow…in fact, there’s another snowfall predicted for tomorrow. And while we can’t wait for spring and to wear the Spring Colors, Pantone released the Fall 2011 Color Trend report last week at New York’s Fashion Week. So, even though we want to think of short-sleeves and bright colors, the fashion industry is showing us that color will be with us when we put our chunky knits and layers back on later in the year.

Honeysuckle-colored weddings (Image source: Wedding101.net)

The color trend report is usually associated with womenswear fashion, but these same colors can be seen in menswear. wedding schemes and home decor fabrics and paints that you’ll find at your home improvement centers.

Honeysuckle — The “It” Color For Fall 2011

How did you feel about the “IT” color from spring, honeysuckle? If you’re not a pink person, you might be a bit hesitant about it. But if you are a pink person, you’ll be continuing your love through fall.

Pantone calls this fall’s colors as “The Art of Color — Sensible and Spirited,” recalling a painter’s masterpiece of combining color with neutrals. I happen to love color, so personally I’m thrilled to see color injected into the neutrals. And here they are. If you want to skip ahead to download the full report from Pantone, be sure to look through the designer inspirations from fashion trendsetters like Betsey Johnson, Chris Benz, Tracy Reese, Adrienne Vittadini, Carmen Marc Valvo, Elie Tahari, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Don’t miss the section of “must-haves.”

Pantone Fall 2011 Color Trend (Image source: bagaddictsanonymous.com)

Bamboo, a surprising fall hue, brings a warm, exotic flavor to the season. Like a filtered sunset on the waning days of fall, Bamboo is a standout yellow with a subtle green undertone. This dappled shade pairs dramatically with several of the top 10, including Phlox, Teal and Honeysuckle.

Radiant Emberglow, a traditional autumnal tone, emanates the warmth of a glowing fire – the perfect panacea to the crisp air of fall. Combine Emberglow with Coffee Liqueúr for a classic look, or with Honeysuckle for something a bit more retro. Add a spark with shoes or a handbag in Emberglow, or perhaps a patterned scarf combining purpled Phlox or Deep Teal.

Offering a sense of continuity from spring, dynamic Honeysuckle adds a bold punctuation point. This playful, reddish pink works with any other color in the palette, especially fall staples like Coffee Liqueúr and Nougat. To add some intensity, pair it with complementary Bamboo. Flirtatious and festive, Honeysuckle produces a healthy glow – great for cosmetics and holiday soirees.

Phlox, a magical, deep purple with a hint of mystery, is an outstanding statement when worn on its own. Add Phlox to this season’s neutrals to create a bit of drama, or combine it with Cedar, Deep Teal or Coffee Liqueúr for something extraordinary. To add even more excitement, pair Phlox with Honeysuckle or Bamboo against a Cedar background – a combination inspired by Mother Nature.

Evoking the freshness of a cool mist in a dark forest, Cedar is a versatile, mid-tone neutral green. It is a natural with Deep Teal, and sophisticated and timeless with Phlox or Orchid Hush. Deep Teal, a strong, blue-toned green, suggests ocean depths and the color of the sky as daylight descends into darkness. A great standard when used with Cedar, its color-wheel neighbor, Deep Teal is also a unique counterpoint to Honeysuckle.

Consumers continue to add stability to their wardrobes with neutrals. Rich, decadent Coffee Liqueúr brings a sense of elegance to fall, and is a savory alternative to basic black. A deliciously warm camel tan, Nougat is tastefully embellished by Phlox, Emberglow or Honeysuckle. Orchid Hush, a unique tone of gray with complex orchid undertones, blends well with any other color in the palette. Quarry, a reliable medium gray, remains, as always, a practical, dependable staple.

Source: Pantone, Inc.

Menswear colors are slightly different.

Image source: Pantone, Inc.

Taking orange in a more masculine direction, Burnt Sienna serves as the standard, fall classic. Accent pieces including ties, scarves and pocket squares in this warm orange are a must. Providing men an alternative to Honeysuckle, Raspberry Wine has more sparkle than a merlot, making a statement with its vital red characteristics. The assemblage of Deep Teal, Cedar and Raspberry Wine is a spectacular composition.

Cadet, the perfect marriage of blue and gray, is another indisputable classic, serving as a dependable backbone that can be worn from season to season. Magical purple Phlox blooms against a neutral background of Nougat, Coffee Liqueúr and Quarry.

Source: Pantone, Inc.

I just love the way the colors are described! What do you think of the Fall 2011 colors? Love them? Not so much? What’s your favorite color from the collection? Leave a comment with your choice. Hmmm, should I bring this color palette to the ASG Chicago Fashion Show in October to see who’s on trend? 😉

The Spring Haute Couture Fashion runways opened this week. And I think someone said that haute couture is the perfect cure for post-partum Bears loss. (Do I hear cheering from the Packers’ readers?) Even if no one said that fashion is the cure for football, haute couture is definitely a trip to Fantasyland.

Younger Designers More Prominent

I don’t claim to study all the fashion magazines, and while I think it would be fun to go to a Paris runway show, I won’t hold my breath being invited to one. But one thing that I found very interesting in reading various sites covering this week’s shows is this year is not just filled with the standard (if you can call them “standard”) works of Chanel, Armani and Dior, but also of younger designers. In fact, the young couturier, Alexis Mabille, opened Couture Fashion Week this past Monday. Below are just a few of his spring offerings.

Alexis Maibille Spring 2011

Images via Vogue UK

Classic Houses Always Inspire

Image via Guardian UK

Of course, how can you not be inspired by the Karl Lagerfeld’s designs for Chanel? Classic, yet updated.

“Short double-breasted trapeze suits and Jacky-O-neck coats slowly give way to etherial light-as-air skirts and dresses. With 67 looks in the collection, Lagerfeld brings the balance between constructed and frayed,fluid silhouettes to perfection. Frosty baby pinks, creams and blues, contrasting black and rather interestingly constructed flats make references to the ballet world evident. Rich in detail, every bead and sequin is in it’s rightful place…Chanel Spring 2011 Haute Couture collection masterfully leaves you in a daze – thinking about The Black Swan and Virgin Suicides, which just might be the most perfect aesthetics collision to date.” Source: fashionlover.comSee the full collection.

Images via Vogue Paris

As soft and airy as Chanel presented, Armani Prive was very structured. And with great, bold colors. Have a look for yourself at the whole collection.

I love the pocket on the pants. Images via Vogue UK.

This isn’t a comprehensive view of the shows, just a couple of highlights from what I’ve read. Do any of these inspire you? Are there other designers from this year’s Haute Couture shows that speak more to you? Leave a comment or a link to a design that inspired you. Or that just struck you as pure fantasy. Here’s looking forward to spring!